Experience all that is great about Britain on the ultimate tour of England, Scotland and Wales. See it all, from the thriving capital cities of London, Edinburgh and Cardiff to the remote Scottish Highlands, tranquil Lake District and spectacular Snowdonia National Park. Along the way you'll experience diverse cultures and histories and see world-famous landmarks.

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The Great Britain Tour: Self Drive Tour of Britain

Day One – Oxford University and Blenheim Palace

From London, make the short journey to historic Oxford where you’ll enjoy the college quads and spires of the world-renowned Oxford University. Soak up the unique academic ambience which once inspired the likes of Tolkien, CS Lewis and Oscar Wilde before heading to nearby village of Woodstock to Winston Churchill’s baroque mansion at Blenheim Palace.

Overnight Oxford.

Day Two – York and York Minster

Travel north to the stunning medieval city of York with a wealth of historic and cultural sites to explore including the cobbles of the famous Shambles, Britain’s first shopping street, medieval city walls, gates and towers, the opulent Georgian Era Fairfax House and the highlight of course at the iconic York Minster.

Overnight York.

Days Three and Four – Edinburgh and Edinburgh Castle

Continue north through the Scottish lowlands past Melrose Abbey and Rosslyn Chapel to Edinburgh and spend two days exploring the Scottish capital city. Enjoy the winding streets of the cobbled old town to the wide avenues of the opulent Georgian new town, visit the Queen’s residence at the Palace of Holyrood House and the Scottish Parliament building before climbing the Royal Mile to the magnificent Edinburgh Castle.

Overnight Edinburgh x 2 nights.

Day Five – Culloden Moor and Inverness

Today pass through the stunning Cairngorm National Park in to the Scottish Highlands. Explore Inverness, capital of the Highlands, and its wealth of surrounding sites such as Culloden Moor, site of the ancient battlefield and the fairytale castle of Cawdor Castle, romantically connected to Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

Overnight Inverness.

Day Six – Loch Ness, the Great Glen and Glasgow

Returning south embark on a day of glorious natural beauty as you pass through the Great Glen along the shores of Loch Ness and then in the shadow of Britain’s tallest peak, Ben Nevis. Make stops at Urquhart Castle, Fort William and Glencoe before passing Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and arriving in the thriving city of Glasgow.

Overnight Glasgow.

Day Seven – Hadrian’s Wall and the Lake District

Departing Scotland, cross the ancient border to England and make a stop at Birdoswald Roman Fort to uncover the secrets of Hadrian’s Wall before passing in to the awe inspiring landscapes of the Lake District. Enjoy towering peaks, rolling dales, tranquil waters and quaint market towns which inspired the likes of Wordsworth, Turner and Beatrix Potter.

Overnight Lake District.

Day Eight – Roman Chester and Conwy Castle

Continuing south, visit Chester a stunning walled city home to an excavated Roman Amphitheatre, an impressive cathedral and the unique Tudor Facaded “Rows”. Then Continue across the border in to North Wales to the hidden gem at Conwy, a quaint medieval harbour town of cobbled streets and squares, medieval town walls and dominated by the stunning 13th century castle at Conwy Castle.

Overnight Conwy.

Day Nine – Snowdonia National Park and Shakespeare’s Stratford

Pass through the corner of the magnificent Snowdonia National Park and through the Welsh border towns as you make you way back to England to Stratford-upon-Avon. Stratford is a picturesque, medieval town of Tudor timberwork buildings harking to the times of William Shakespeare, for which it is famed. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage or Hall’s Croft.

Overnight Stratford-upon-Avon.

Day Ten – The Welsh Capital and Cardiff Castle

Cross back in to Wales, perhaps stopping at medieval border town Monmouth or Raglan Castle on route to the Welsh Capital. Spend today discovering Cardiff, the Edwardian baroque architecture of Cathays Park and the modern Cardiff Bay area, home to the National Assembly for Wales, the Millennium Centre and a host of waterfront bars and cafes. The highlight will be Cardiff Castle which combines Roman and Norman history with a gloriously lavish Victorian mansion.

Overnight Cardiff.

Day Eleven – Bath City and Roman Baths

A short drive over the English border you arrive in Bath City which oozes Georgian opulence and is home to so many sites of historic importance that the entire city has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status. Visit architectural highlights including the Elizabethan Abbey, Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent, a wealth of quality museums, exhibitions and of course the spectacular Roman Baths and Pump Room.

Overnight Bath.

Days Twelve, Thirteen and Fourteen – Stonehenge Windsor and London City

From Bath travel East and stop at the eerie and unexplained standing stones of Stonehenge before visiting the affluent town of Windsor and the magnificent Windsor Castle. Arriving in London return your car and spend the next two days exploring the English Capital City. This magnificent city is a thriving metropolis with a vibrant modern culture and rich history and heritage. Visit renowned sights including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square and the London Eye and a wealth of prestigious museums and galleries.

Overnight London x 2 nights.

The Great Britain Tour: Self Drive Tour of Britain

The Great Britain Tour: Self Drive Tour of Britain

What's Included?

13 nights accommodation (suggested accommodations listed below).

Full cooked regional breakfast each morning

12 days car rental (outside of London) inclusive of all mandatory taxes, insurances and charges.

Expert assistance during the planning of your trip and local number for advice during travel

Suggested Accommodations:

Shillingford Bridge Hotel, nr Oxford x 1 night

York Pavilion Hotel, York x 1 night

Carlton Hotel, Edinburgh x 2 nights

Priory Hotel, nr Inverness x 1 night

Gleddoch House Hotel, nr Glasgow x 1 night

Burnside Hotel, Lake District x 1 night

Sychnant Pass Hotel, nr Conwy x 1 night

Legacy Falcon Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon x 1 night

Angel Hotel, Cardiff x 1 night

Combe Grove Manor Hotel, Bath x 1 night

Burns Hotel, London x 2 nights

As our self-drive tours are fully customizable we can tailor the suggested accommodations for your particular quotation based on your preferences, budget etc. Read more about the accommodation we offer by clicking here.

Optional Extras:

Enjoy a City Sightseeing open-top bus tour of many destination cities.

Purchase the English Heritage and/or National Trust overseas visitor passes for entry to dozens of sites and historic attractions on route.

Enjoy a Scottish themed evening including dinner and entertainment in Edinburgh.

Enjoy a traditional Welsh Banquet in the grounds of Cardiff Castle in Cardiff.

Enjoy a West End performance with theatre tickets in London.

Customize this Tour!

Add extra nights in any of your destination cities to explore further.

Add other overnight destinations on your itinerary such as Cambridge, Durham, the West Coast of Scotland, Liverpool, Chester or central Wales.

Have your very own private driver-guide chauffeur your tour.

Combine this tour with one of our other Britain self-tours.

Stay in quaint family run B&Bs throughout your tour or on selected nights.

Enjoy an upgrade to a luxury castle or manor hotel on one or more nights of your stay.

The Great Britain Tour: Self Drive Tour of Britain

Departure Dates 2015

This self-guided tour is customizable and can be taken at any time throughout the year and starting and ending on any day of the week - simply let us know your preferred dates of travel!

Pricing 2015

Pricing Notes:

Above pricing is an estimated "from" price based on mid-season travel (March/April). As this tour can be taken at any time pricing will vary dependent on departure day, date of travel, selected accommodations etc.

Above pricing is based on suggested accommodations listed however please note that we can tailor your specific quote to accommodate your budget and preferences.

Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room and one vehicle.

Prices are for land only travel and do not include flights.

Prices are in GBP£ currency, for approximate amounts in other currencies please contact us.